Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Ulcerative Colitis vs. Crohn’s Disease - what's the difference?
IBD comes in two primary forms with similar, unpleasant symptoms, but different management and treatment approaches
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term that primarily covers two chronic conditions affecting a person’s digestive tract: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. While they share many similarities, they also have distinct differences that impact diagnosis, treatment, and daily life. If you or someone you love is learning to navigate an IBD diagnosis, understanding these differences may help you feel more informed.
What Is IBD anyways?
For starters, IBD is not the same as IBS (which stands for irritable bowel syndrome). They sound similar, but IBS affects bowel function, while, as the same suggests, IBD involves chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract due to an abnormal immune response. In people with IBD, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in the digestive tract, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. IBS may have similar signs and symptoms, but is commonly caused by stress, nervous system changes, usage of antibiotics, or other changes in the gut.
Under the IBD umbrella, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease differ in several ways:
Location of Inflammation
UC affects only the colon and rectum, and the inflammation is continuous. Crohn’s disease, on the other hand, can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. The inflammation of Crohn’s tends to be patchy in nature with sections of healthy tissue in between the inflamed areas.
Inflammation depth
In UC, inflammation is limited to the innermost lining of the colon. Crohn’s disease affects all layers of the bowel wall, which can lead to complications like strictures (narrowing of the intestines) and fistulas (abnormal connections between organs).
Pattern of disease
UC typically presents with a predictable pattern, starting in the rectum and extending upward. This is why some UC medicines are designed to be administered rectally, for closer targeting of inflammation. Crohn’s disease is more variable, with inflammation that can skip areas and appear in multiple parts of the GI tract.
Shared experiences
Despite their differences, UC and Crohn’s disease share many symptoms:
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Urgent need to use the bathroom
- Anemia due to blood loss or poor nutrient absorption
Symptoms can come and go, with flare-up periods followed by spans of remission. Since both conditions are auto-immune in nature they can also affect other parts of the body, leading to joint pain, skin issues, and eye inflammation.
Getting a diagnosis
Both UC and Crohn’s disease are most commonly diagnosed in teenagers and young adults, though they can occur at any age. Having a family history of IBD increases an individual’s risk as does some modifiable factors such as smoking and high intake of processed foods.
Frequently the process of diagnosing IBD can be complex as there is no single test that confirms UC or Crohn’s disease. Instead, doctors must try and solve “the puzzle” using a combination of:
- Medical history and physical exam
- Blood tests to check for inflammation, anemia, or infection
- Stool tests to rule out infections
- Endoscopic procedures, such as colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, to view the colon and collect tissue samples
- Imaging tests, like CT or MRI scans, to assess inflammation and rule out complications
Even with testing, it may occasionally difficult to distinguish between UC and Crohn’s. In a small percentage of cases, patients are diagnosed with what is called indeterminate colitis, where features of both conditions are present.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or supporting someone with IBD, becoming educated on the condition is a first step towards setting expectations and managing for better quality of life. For people quietly living with ongoing digestive issues, it is important to talk to a doctor about the timing, severity, and potential triggers of any pain or episodes. It may feel uncomfortable but is the only way to get answers and feel better again. Even if the diagnosis is IBD, there are many newer treatment approaches that can help someone feel more at ease and in control
Published Date October 28, 2025
Latest News
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Diet and IBD: eat this, not that
Making lifestyle changes, especially dietary changes, can help limit or lessen flare-ups of IBD
2025-09-19T20:46:00Z
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)
From NASH to MASH: a meaningful name change
What's in a name? A lot when it comes to engaging patients in care options
2025-09-09T12:19:00Z
Diabetes
Participating in clinical research from your home
A DCT brings cutting-edge research fueled by digital innovation straight into a person's home for utmost convenience
2025-08-05T17:23:00Z
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
The ABCs of blood cells and blood cancers: Lymphoma
Every blood cell has an important job to do but sometimes cancer gets in the way
2025-06-13T17:22:00Z
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
How dogs are helping advance lymphoma research
Dogs are furry and faithful companions that too can face cancer - learn how some are benefiting from medical research
2025-05-28T17:36:00Z
Melanoma
Melanoma: Separating Myths from Facts
Melanoma is a serious form of cancer yet many myths persist around what it is, where it is, and who is at risk
2025-04-28T21:05:00Z
Melanoma
Advances in Melanoma Treatment
Clinical research is helping bring new, and much-needed, treatments to market
2025-04-15T21:17:00Z
Asthma
New thinking in childhood asthma diagnosis approach
New studies show that over-calculating race risk in asthma diagnostic tools may actually delay diagnosis
2025-03-21T13:51:00Z
Alzheimer's Disease
As America ages, dementia diagnoses poised to double
With humans living longer due to medical breakthroughs, the chance of developing dementia has greatly increased
2025-02-19T13:56:00Z
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Is lassitude affecting your attitude?
The extreme fatigue of MS is so unrelenting that it has its own name: lassitude. What can you do to try and improve this feeling?
2025-01-24T18:58:00Z
Asthma
Breathing easy: the work of an asthma inhaler
Inhalers are lifechanging for people living with asthma and other breathing difficulties
2025-01-07T17:33:00Z
Leukemia (AML)
A simple guide to understanding chemo
Chemo is an effective cancer treatment - but what is it exactly and why does it work?
2024-12-09T14:25:00Z
Eczema
Self-care tips during eczema flare-ups
Eczema can be emotionally draining and physically uncomfortable - learn how self-care can change your outlook
2024-11-26T18:46:00Z
Healthy Volunteers
What is a Phase 1 trial?
Phase 1 trials are necessary first steps on the road to clinical breakthroughs and healthy volunteers can help make these a reality.
2024-11-11T15:35:00Z
Colorectal Cancer
The role of biomarker testing in cancer
Biomarkers can play important roles in cancer treatment, but what are they and what can they tell doctors?
2024-10-16T18:18:00Z
Hypertension
Home-based exercise tips for blood pressure control
Getting heart-healthy physical activity doesn't have to mean running a marathon or joining an expensive gym.
2024-09-08T18:30:00Z
Leukemia (AML)
What helps with nausea besides medicine?
Nausea is an unfortunate aspect of cancer treatment - what may help reduce this side effect?
2024-08-31T18:30:00Z
Healthy Volunteers
Common misconceptions about clinical research
Many people have never participated in a clinical trial so it can be hard to separate fact from myth - here are some of the most common myths debunked.
2024-08-28T21:23:00Z
Obesity
The basics of BMI
BMI, or Body Mass Index, is a standard way to assess weight status - learn why and where it came from
2024-08-22T13:50:00Z
Colorectal Cancer
Why is Colorectal Cancer striking at younger ages?
The number of people being diagnosed with colorectal cancer under the age of 50 has greatly increased - what might be the cause of this troubling trend?
2024-08-14T16:12:00Z
Hypertension
Four foods linked with lower blood pressure
While the foods you eat can raise the risk of developing hypertension, there are also options that can help lower blood pressure.
2024-08-01T18:30:00Z
Obesity
A primer on GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss
An overview on select GLP-1 receptor agonist treatments that help promote blood sugar management and weight loss
2024-07-31T18:30:00Z
Multiple Myeloma
Life with a rare disease
Experiencing serious health challenges is difficult enough - having a relatively unknown condition adds additional complexity
2024-07-08T22:02:00Z
Eczema
Atopic Dermatitis: signs and stages
Understanding how atopic dermatitis looks, feels and changes during a flare-up is helpful to patients seeking greater control of their condition
2024-07-01T16:12:00Z
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)
Speaking with your PCP about MASH
Engaging your primary doctor in a conversation about risk for MASH liver disease doesn't have to be scary
2024-06-25T12:15:00Z
Alzheimer's Disease
New Alzheimer’s Disease research breakthroughs
The 2020s have been the most impactful decade so far for the debilitating form of dementia
2024-05-02T18:30:00Z
Breast Cancer
Talking to family about cancer genes
Though this conversation may be difficult, it might be vitally important for your loved ones
2024-02-05T18:30:00Z
Lupus
Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) and Diet
Can what you eat make a difference?
2024-04-15T18:30:00Z
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)
Learning you need a liver biopsy: staying calm
Approaches to stay in control before, during and after a biopsy
2023-12-27T18:30:00Z
Diabetes
The recent rise of walking as exercise
Grab your sneakers, grab a friend, or grab your dog and get moving!
2023-12-05T18:30:00Z
Renal Cell Carcinoma
Coping with the holidays during cancer treatment
Getting ready to face a new year while facing cancer is no easy task
2023-11-23T18:30:00Z
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Possible link between multiple sclerosis and viral infection?
Researchers are looking to learn more about if and how a virus can trigger multiple sclerosis
2023-10-25T18:30:00Z
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)
Making lifestyle changes: ten ideas to get started
Losing excess weight together with an active lifestyle helps with the management of MASH, but where to begin?
2023-09-05T18:30:00Z
Lung Cancer
Talking to loved ones about your clinical trial
How to talk to family and friends when you are thinking of changing cancer treatment plans for a research option
2023-08-14T18:30:00Z
Lung Cancer
Learning you have lung cancer as a non-smoker
Lung cancer can be a shocking diagnosis when you've never smoked - how can it be?
2023-08-15T18:30:00Z
Prostate Cancer
Does a high PSA score always mean cancer?
Learn more about this common test for older men and how it relates to cancer risk
2023-07-10T18:30:00Z
Breast Cancer
Understanding the differences between mastectomy and lumpectomy
Two different surgical options both seeking the same outcome
2023-07-07T18:30:00Z
Lupus
New treatments are on the horizon for lupus patients
From biologics to CAR-T, developments in clinical research for SLE have opened new treatment doors for patients.
2023-05-22T16:15:00Z
Multiple Myeloma
Understanding eligibility criteria for clinical research studies
Clinical trials utilize sets of criteria to determine if a person is a good fit - but what are these and what do they mean?
2023-04-05T18:30:00Z
Renal Cell Carcinoma
Learning you need a biopsy: staying calm
Approaches to stay in control before, during and after a diagnostic biopsy
2023-03-14T18:30:00Z
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)
Making lifestyle changes: ten ideas to get started
Pharmaceutical companies are rushing to fill the NASH treatment gap
2023-03-14T18:30:00Z